Let us be graced by God with a much deeper transformation

Jonah 3:1-10, Lk. 11:29-32. Today's first reading draws our attention to the kindness of strangers, such as the sailors who did not want to throw Jonah overboard. Jonah saw goodness in unlikely places and a change of heart where it was least expected. That was how Jonah’s people regarded the Assyrians who were unkind to them. If the pagans of Nineveh came to believe in God and changed their ways, there is hope for all of us. On seeing the repentance of the Ninevites, God showed them mercy. If such repentance is possible, how can we give up hope in our time? In today's Gospel, Jesus draws on the example of Jonah when he announced that the time of salvation is now, so that, like the people of Nineveh, we should eagerly grasp the grace of the present moment and so draw near to God. This is an opportunity to let God grace us with a much deeper transformation.

Today, we are challenged to be open to God’s call to holiness and have a change of heart - "Metanoia (μετάνοια)" - from our selfish ways to a heart which is contrite and humble. "Metanoia (μετάνοια)" is a Greek word which literally means “a change of mind” or total turn around after thinking about our current demeaning lifestyle. To the Jews, it meant a change of heart, since the heart, to the Hebrew is the source of decision making. Thus, "Metanoia (μετάνοια)" means changing our thinking process to be more in line with God’s will and also a change in behaviour based upon the enlightened thought process. Repentance is "turning" from a pattern of erring life to "dedicating" ourselves to the "amendment" of our life. Today, we are called to repeatedly turn to our Lord Jesus, admit our sinfulness and embrace forgiveness. As a sign of our acceptance of forgiveness and offer of salvation, we are challenged to strive to live as much of Christ-like life as we can, that includes being compassionate and understanding and working for peace and justice, especially for “foreigners” and people who are different from us.

May the Lord help us to be open to God’s transforming grace and give us the courage to let ourselves be led by the Holy Spirit! Amen!! Good morning and have a glorious day!!!